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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Elopement and unhinged family

4 replies

Samuraisammy · 23/09/2021 15:46

Me and OH together for nearly twenty years. Always envisioned a mid sized wedding but year upon year put off by an okay year with OH’s family followed by a bad one, continual pattern.

Never took the plunge with eloping even though it looks like the most drama free solution but been held back from regretting it and feeling as though my ‘ideal’ day has been taken away or as if they have ‘won’ and it will confirm their view that I’m a bad apple.

However, it’s just got to top he stage where honestly, far too many family members really must have mental health or personality disorder issues and how can I really have a hold on that on our wedding day without being filled with fear and anxiety?

Then there’s the dark cloud that might be exploded when OH family do find out we eloped and they make us feel bad for it (even though they were probably relieved to not go to our wedding).

Just in constant limbo and we cannot move forward with our relationship at all. Please help. Has anyone eloped with similar circumstances and did you tell the ‘problem family’ beforehand or at least suggest you would do, to soften any fall outs?

I know that sounds ridiculous but OH was even made to feel bad for not suggesting he was going to propose to me. He just wanted to keep is intimate between us and really tradition dictates that he should just ask my father.. so not sure why they thought they had the right to be ‘in’ on it.

Ahhhhhhghhhh!

OP posts:
2orangey · 23/09/2021 16:40

I read somewhere that the best thing in these situations is to present it as a fait accompli.

Don't ask anyone for advice or permission, don't tell the family beforehand. They will only throw a spanner in the works. Be single minded. It's YOUR day, YOUR marriage. Have the day just as you wish, whether it's the registry office, Gretna Green, or one of those fancy elopement packages. You can make it as fancy or casual as you like.

Afterwards a lovely card saying 'We Eloped!' Big smiles when you tell people 'We just couldn't wait a day longer to be married to each other so we snuck off just the 2 of us - isn't it romantic?' Just tell it as an exciting, romantic story, nothing to be apologetic about.

Of course the other option is to elope and not tell anyone, but I'd worry that these things get out in the end.

User002819532425 · 23/09/2021 16:51

You could do what we did - got married and just never told anyone. Our witnesses know (trusted friends) but enjoy the secrecy ! After all it is just a piece of paper ... Like a bank note or share certificate ;)

Notaroadrunner · 23/09/2021 17:00

After being together for nearly 20 years I'd just elope. I wouldn't want any trouble makers having any input or behaving badly on the day. Come back and tell them/don't tell them. It's none of their business. And if anyone does kick off tell them that's the bloody reason they were kept in the dark in the first place. If I were you I'd take a large step back from them as they don't sound pleasant.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 23/09/2021 17:05

We just had our dc at a registry office. And had a friend and fil for witnesses..
Made sure mil knew she wasn't invited!! Took the crap.
No regrets..

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